Book Review:HER ESCAPADES.

Najma Swaleh also known as "Drops of Melanin is a writer,spoken-word artist and a poet.She recently published her 1st book called "HER ESCAPADES".This book hit the shelves on 3rd February 2019.

HER ESCAPADES is a collection of raw emotions,heartfelt poems that are inspired by the authors experience.The book is divided into two chapters that covers a wide variety of topics such as mental health,friendship,orphaned,war,family among others.Each and every word in this poems are captured from her heart.

Just from the title of the book "HER ESCAPADES" It clearly shows that the writer wanted to communicate her deepest feelings.Writing them down was an escape from her real world and only if you love poetry,will you be able to connect with it.What i found folded in these pages was her story,her vulnerability.

The first chapter of the book brings energy and momentum to the book.The poems are so easy to understand and they explain themselves really well.

In some of the poems,the writer uses imagery to describe herself example,(Beginning of life page 8)

"I was the child of the night and everything dark seemed to find home in me,pretty much everything,from the layers of melanin that rested on my shoulders,to the darkness in my eyelids."

In the poem, (Identity crisis page 11 )the writer tries to bring out herself.She attempts to convey and capture the deepest emotions of her heart as an orphan.The struggles she went through growing up as a kid. How no one was ever there to celebrate each and every move she made.An identity crisis.

Some of the poems that struck me the most are:

( Friends and flowers page 32)This is just a stanza from the poem.

"I have grown up like tendrils that scattered into patterns,Always held onto the walls that came known as friends,different directions but all of them reminded me, I am enough.I am loved.)

The writer brings out the importance of friendship. How friends are the gardens of life. How some friends become family and others become strangers.

(Mental health dialogue page 5)An excerpt from the poem.

"I know you're struggling,between am okay and i am fine.According to you both of them sounds more appealing. You don't know whats worse,staying beneath the waves and drowning or staying on the surface and die from thirst."

The writer talks about Mental health.Mental health is affecting so many people as we speak right now.She tries to communicate to every mental soul out here,that its okay not to be okay and that we should not be afraid to talk about it.Learn to embrace it and love yourself.

The book ends with a poem (Its time to heal) and I felt like this was what the author was aiming for. To heal,regardless of the turmoil, life has to offer.

There are literally so many poems in this book that has really touched my soul,but then i tried my best for you guys to have a glimpse of it.All the poems are realistic and relatable.

I will leave a link down below for you guys to order the book from.Make sure you grab a copy of the book and be a part of Najma's journey.

Did i love the book? Yes!! I absolutely fell in love with the poems. To add on, the drawing on the cover page is amazing.Lets just imagine she is holding a cup of coffee because I obsess with coffee.

Get your copy and enjoy.

Love and light always.

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